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Let’s start 2015 with brand growth and travel!

I am speaking at the Sold Out #WeAllGrow Summit and want you to join me in beautiful Los Angeles, CA from February 26, 2015 at 6:00 PM – Saturday, February 28, 2015!

#WeAllGrow Summit, by Latina Bloggers Connect, is poised to become the go-to professional conference for Latina digital content creators and influencers across all categories (parenting, lifestyle, fashion/beauty, food, entertainment and more). The conversation, networking and learning experiences — all bilingual and all in-culture — will be crafted to create unique and long-lasting connections.

Those connections we thrive on.

The ones that make it all worth it.

The ones that need to start from a place of authenticity to grow with that fabric.

The connections will also be strategically created for marketers, PR professionals and brand representatives to connect with you — the key influencers — and help all achieve our objectives, because we do grow together.

Who wants to join me?

Sweepstakes/ Giveaway!

One Brillante Media influencer will win a #WeAllGrow Full Access Pass ($350) and hotel accommodations with me for one (1) winner for nights of Feb. 25th through Mar. 1($636)!!!!

Grand prize retailed at $961 for one lucky Brillante Media Influencer and all you have to do is tweet me at @BrillanteMedia with hashtag #WeAllGrow #BrillanteMedia telling me why you want to go!a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweepstakes/Giveaway Contest begins February 10, 2015 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on February 16, 2015. Open to legal residents WHO DO NOT HAVE A #WeAllGrow PASS and are of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Giveaway winner will be selected using Random.org from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize. See Official Rules Below.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

HOW TO ENTER: Giveaway begins at February 10, 2015 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on February 16, 2015. Open (“Giveaway”). The winner of the “#WeAllGrow Pass and Hotel Accommodations” will be selected at random using www.random.org. The winner will be contacted by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize of one (1) “#WeAllGrow and Hotel Accommodations” ARV $961.00 for the giveaway may not participate with multiple e-mail addresses. Any entrant who attempts to enter with multiple e-mail addresses, under multiple identities or uses any other device will be disqualified from participation in the promotion and all entries submitted by that entrant will be void.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents WHO DO NOT HAVE A #WeAllGrow and are of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees of Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate. No P.O. Boxes please.

WINNER SELECTION: Giveaway winner will be selected at random on or about February. 16, 2014 from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway.

2. Winner will be determined by the Sponsor. Winner will be notified by email. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact the winner within 48 hours of first notification, prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

3. PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES: “#WeAllGrow Pass and Hotel Accommodations” valued $961.00. Odds of winning Giveaway prize depend on total number of eligible entries received during the Giveaway. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Limit one (1) prize per person for each promotion. Giveaway sweepstakes for tickets only winner responsible for all transportation and incidental costs.

4. GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. Neither Sponsor, nor its affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. Acceptance of a prize shall be construed as and signify the winner’s agreement and consent that Sponsor may use the winner’s name, voice, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further consideration, review, approval or payment, where allowed by law. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

5. INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Sponsor.

6. Winners names will be available no later than February 16, 2015 via announcement on BrillanteMedia.com

Honestly, since there has not been an update since September 2014, I should be saying, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgivings, Merry and Happy EVERYTHING!

I know you can probably relate, life got really busy and now we are in a New Year filled with so much promise and opportunities!

Brillante Media, LLC turned ONE earlier in January and it has been a year of so many successes and growth, truthfully, I needed a few weeks to figure out what I wanted for my brand in 2015.

Every business person no matter how driven you are wants to take their business to the next level but sometimes figuring out that next level is confusing.

Some things to consider when planning strategically for your brand and business:

What do you LOVE doing?

Where are you making the most profits?

Do these items coincide? If not, you have some work to do!

Do not get overwhelmed, start small. Does not matter if you are a blogger, social media manager, corporate professional, CHECK your stats.

Take a personal and honest review of your brand and all your projects.

What was truly successful? What was a miserable loss? After each project you should have a lessons learned review. It can be a simple word document with notes of what worked, what did not and how you can improve the next project.

Next step?

Ask trusted team members to also review your projects and your bottom line.

Do you need to purchase some project management tools? Hire someone? Rework your strategy or focus on a new audience?

To grow a community that celebrates digital diversity by serving as a supportive platform for our members to develop their social media presence, blogs, brands, and businesses while raising awareness within the marketing industry of our powerful “multi-influential” demographic.

I have attended Blogalicious a few times and love the energy and growth attending always brings to my brand.

Taking place November 6-8, 2014 at the beautiful Westin River Walk and I REALLY want one lucky Brillante Media Influencer to join me so making this SUPER easy!

Sweepstakes/ Giveaway!

One Brillante Media influencer will win a Blogalicious Full Access Pass ($399) and hotel accommodations with me for one (1) winner for nights of Nov. 5th through 8th ($716)!!!!

Grand prize retailed at $1115 for one lucky Brillante Media Influencer and all you have to do leave me a tweet me at @BrillanteMedia telling me why you want to attend #BeGreatB6 with me!

Sweepstakes/Giveaway Contest begins September 11, 2014 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on September 21, 2014. Open to legal residents WHO DO NOT HAVE A BLOGALICIOUS PASS and are of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Giveaway winner will be selected using Random.org from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize. See Official Rules Below.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

HOW TO ENTER: Giveaway begins at September 11, 2014 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on September 21, 2014. Open (“Giveaway”). The winner of the “#BeGreatB6 Pass and Hotel Accommodations” will be selected at random using www.random.org. The winner will be contacted by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize of one (1) “#BeGreatB6 and Hotel Accommodations” ARV $1115.00 for the giveaway may not participate with multiple e-mail addresses. Any entrant who attempts to enter with multiple e-mail addresses, under multiple identities or uses any other device will be disqualified from participation in the promotion and all entries submitted by that entrant will be void.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents WHO DO NOT HAVE A BLOGALICIOUS PASS and are of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees of Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate. No P.O. Boxes please.

WINNER SELECTION: Giveaway winner will be selected at random on or about Sept. 21, 2014 from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway.

2. Winner will be determined by the Sponsor. Winner will be notified by email. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact the winner within 48 hours of first notification, prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

3. PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES: “#BeGreatB6 Pass and Hotel Accommodations” valued $1115.00. Odds of winning Giveaway prize depend on total number of eligible entries received during the Giveaway. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Limit one (1) prize per person for each promotion. Giveaway sweepstakes for tickets only winner responsible for all transportation and incidental costs.

4. GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. Neither Sponsor, nor its affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. Acceptance of a prize shall be construed as and signify the winner’s agreement and consent that Sponsor may use the winner’s name, voice, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further consideration, review, approval or payment, where allowed by law. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

5. INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Sponsor.

6. Winners names will be available no later than September 22, 2014 via announcement on BrillanteMedia.com

Whether you are a brand new blogger or have been blogging for years you must have a business plan.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a formal document that clearly states your mission, your business goals, team members, competitors and financial commitment and goals.

The document includes an executive summary, general description of company, products, services, operational plan, organization, financial statements and startup expenses.

It can be as simple as a couple of paragraphs in a word document but a business plan forces you to answer some tough questions.

What is your blog mission?

What products and services do you provide to your audience and to brands?

How much does it cost to maintain your blog?

Can you afford additional contributors or upgrade your site?

Which daily expenses are business tax write offs?

Who is your blogging competition?

As someone who has had to find these questions and answers the hard way, trust me this is valuable information.

Tips for creating a clear and concise business trip.

Be realistic if you work full time, travel a lot or have small children set manageable goals.

Your executive summer is also your 30 second elevator pitch. Keep it concise.

Be honest about finances. This will help you know your worth for sponsored posts and media kit rates.

Your competition can be potential business partners, mentors and assets to your growing brand.

Revisit your business plan every six months to track if on point or need to change management styles.

That is why I love how this year’s Blogalicious conference is focusing on being great!

There is always something more you can learn in order to take it to the next level, whether it be creating your business plan or shaking things and moving in a new direction. What better way to learn these things than with the people who have already made it? With exceptional speakers in the beautiful San Antonio, Texas we will all be learning how to be great and take that next step for the upcoming year.

I have spoken at Niche Parent the past two years and it is a fantastic intimate conference where the speakers and attendees are business focused and hungry to learn and network.

This year they are taking things to new heights with a Disney destination to boot!

Empowering keynote sessions, 1.5 hour hands-on workshops, sessions on entrepreneurship, social media, branding, blogging, and more! The speakers are top industry authorities and experts with experience in all niches and audiences of all backgrounds.

Taking place October 16-18, 2014 at the magical Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Niche Parent 2014 Conference is a hybrid event of conference sessions and the opportunity to experience Disney.

I REALLY want one lucky Brillante Media Influencer to join me!!!

Sweepstakes/ Giveaway!

One Brillante Media influencer will win a Niche Parent Full Access Pass ($349) and hotel accommodations with me for nights of Oct. 16th through 18th ($450)!!!

Once winner is confirmed, registration cannot be transferred. Winner responsible for all personal transportation, food and incidental costs.

To be entered for the grand prize of conference pass and hotel retailed at $799 tweet me at @BrillanteMedia with hashtag #NicheParent14 #BrillanteMedia telling me why you want to go to the most magical place on earth with me!

Sweepstakes/Giveaway Contest begins August 28, 2014 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on September 7, 2014. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry AND ARE BRILLANTE MEDIA INFLUENCERS. Giveaway winner will be selected using Random.org from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize. See Official Rules Below.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

HOW TO ENTER: Giveaway begins at August 28, 2014 and ends at 9:00 p.m. ET p.m. ET on September 7, 2014. Open (“Giveaway”). The winner of the “#NicheParent14 Pass and Hotel Accommodations” will be selected at random using www.random.org. The winner will be contacted by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm his/her prize of one (1) “#NicheParent14 Pass and Hotel Accommodations” ARV $799.00 for the giveaway may not participate with multiple e-mail addresses. Any entrant who attempts to enter with multiple e-mail addresses, under multiple identities or uses any other device will be disqualified from participation in the promotion and all entries submitted by that entrant will be void.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees of Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate. No P.O. Boxes please.

WINNER SELECTION: Giveaway winner will be selected at random on or about Sept. 7, 2014 from among all eligible entries received during the Giveaway.

2. Winner will be determined by the Sponsor. Winner will be notified by email. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact the winner within 48 hours of first notification, prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

3. PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES: “#NicheParent14 Pass and Hotel Accommodations” valued $799.00. Odds of winning Giveaway prize depend on total number of eligible entries received during the Giveaway. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Limit one (1) prize per person for each promotion. Giveaway sweepstakes only for conference pass and hotel accomodations. Winner responsible for all personal transportation, food and incidental costs.

4. GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. Neither Sponsor, nor its affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. Acceptance of a prize shall be construed as and signify the winner’s agreement and consent that Sponsor may use the winner’s name, voice, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further consideration, review, approval or payment, where allowed by law. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

5. INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up to the point of the action taken by the Sponsor.

6. Winner’s name will be available no later than September 10, 2014 via announcement on BrillanteMedia.com

Image courtesy of Josh Hallett (@hyku) , the official photographer, for #DisneySMMMoms

We had a great question come in from the Brillante Media Network; how do I get invented to events?

Great question, not a very easy answer.

Honestly, it all depends. Public Relation agencies, brands and event gate keepers are all looking at different factors. Surprisingly it is not all about the numbers. Yes, you should have great influence and reach, however, you should also deliver on your end. Whether it is a two hour event or a multi-day press trip you should know this is WORK!

Social Media makes it look so easy! We are all smiling, having a drink, first in line for an amazing opportunity and we take home a swag bag but it is so much more than that.

You were invited to hear about the new campaign and share key points to your audience by live tweeting and beautiful pictures and video. So when you get an invite your first thought should not be, “am I available?” It should be, “does this fit my brand?”

Yes, brand! You are not just “a blogger” you are a social media influencer, better yet, you are a Brillante Media Influencer.

I remember when I first started I went to every single event I was invited to at the expense of my time and bank account. I was so excited and of course I wanted to post away on these great brands. However, one day I was posting on laundry detergent the next a new movie release and the next beauty products. You want to become an expert and a total resource to your community so take a minute to refocus and realign what your blog mission is.

Also, do you have a real picture of you on your site along with your contact information? You have no idea how many times, I have wanted to reach out to some up and coming bloggers and unable to find a picture of them or an email ANY WHERE on their site!!! Please make it easy for people who want to work with you.

Another huge tip for being selected for any opportunity? Invest in your brand!!!!

Set aside some budget and time for a stellar theme with great code that oozes professionalism and beauty. If you do not spend money on yourself who is going to pay or invite you to represent their brand. Plus it is a tax write off?

Another great investment that is worth its weight in gold? Blogger conferences.

Attend blogger focused sessions with knowledge to succeed and take your brand to another level.

You will meet the face behind the brand and get a business card with all necessary contact information to get the relationship started.

You will grow your digital village and bond with other like-minded individuals who will strengthen your brand.

I WANT YOU TO ATTEND #NicheParent14 AND #BeGreatB6 WITH ME!

That is right!

Brillante Media has partnered with TWO AMAZING Conferences and I want you to join me!